Naturalists at Large provides outdoor education programs for California schools, introducing students to diverse natural environments through multi-day trips. They work with each school to design tailored programs led by experienced instructors. Students participate in hiking, exploring tide pools, learning about local ecology, map reading, journaling, games and campfire activities. The goal is to promote students' interaction with nature and each other through cooperative and problem-solving exercises.

2. Who do we
serve ?
Our education programs
for over two hundred of
California's public and
independent schools have
introduced thousands of
students to environments
as diverse as the…

3. Pygmy Forest of Sonoma
Catalina
Island
Giant Forest of Sequoia
Sonoran Desert
Colorado River

4. What does
Naturalists at Large
do ?

6. We work with each
school every step
of the way to
identify their
outdoor education
goals and then
tailor a program to
meet those specific
needs.

7. Trail Group sizes of 9 to 14 students
Always with one
instructor and
one adult from
your school

8. Naturalists at Large
provides a complete
outdoor curriculum
for primary through
high school level
students. We can
accommodate trips
for 15 students to
over 200.

10. Naturalists at Large draws it’s instructors
from all over the United States. These are
men and women with 4-year university
degrees who have proven experience
working with youth in the outdoors and in
the classroom.

12. With their high comfort and experience in
the outdoors, their passion for teaching,
and a commitment to safety first, we have
the foundation for a fantastic experience
for you and your students.

13. All of our instructors are CPR and First Aid
Certified. 80 % of them hold advanced
certifications such as Wilderness Emergency
Medical Training, Wilderness First Responders
and Wilderness Advanced First Aid.
RESPONSE TIMES: for Emergency Services
Paramedic Unit Malibu – 15 minutes
Sheriffs – 10 to 20 minutes

15. Where in the world are we going?

16. Just up the
coast from
Los Angeles

17. Sycamore
Canyon Leo Carrillo

18. Both sites are located on
Highway One between Los
Angeles and Ventura, and
are a part of the Santa
Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area

19. Rocky promontories, panoramic
views, and the dramatic sounds of
pounding surf; open grasslands,
sycamore forested canyons, large
expanse of coastal sage
scrublands and chapparal, you can
experience all of these coastal
wonders within these two park
areas.

20. WELCOME !

23. Everyone off the bus!

24. NOW
WHAT !

27. Okay, we
have our
tent set up.
But where’s
the…

28. OH!…okay….

29. Time to
eat !

31. Meals are
wholesome
affairs providing
the nutrition
needed for active
participants
There’s a variety of menu
options from which to choose

32. Allergies and Special Food Needs
• Program meals offer vegetarian food options.
• For those with specific needs due to allergies
or personal reasons, we suggest discussion
with your faculty.
• Naturalists at Large can help guide those with
special diets to supplement their meals in
ways which everyone can most easily manage.

33. So what will we learn ?

34. Academic Aspect
Identification of tide pool and terrestrial
plants and animals
Learn about the three plant communities
(grassland, sycamore canyon bottom, and sage
scrubland)
Study beach formation/degradation
Learn Native American culture and uses of
plants
Stream Studies and Riparian Zones

35. Let’s get ready to hike…

36. Up Canyon
Let
’s s
ee
wh
at
Down Canyon we
can
fin
d!

37. Some more up canyon views

38. And a few more down

39. Keep your
eyes open for
the unique and
interesting

40. What plant is this and
who’s your favorite
sports team?

42. Our
naturalists
will guide
you on
your
journey
to…

44. the beach !

46. There’s much to discover

48. What did
you find?

49. A
Seastar…

50. Some
FRIENDS…

51. and some…
Amazing Moments

52. TRY…

53. A focus of most all
Naturalists at Large
programming is the
interaction of the
individual with the
group. The needs of
both must be met
through the
development of
cooperation,
leadership and
problem solving skills.

54. The facilitation of
activities, with the
emphasis on our
interaction with the
environment and
each other,
promotes awareness
of each individual’s
role in making the
group experience a
positive one.

55. And a few other optional activities…
Animal Tracking
Map & Compass
Orienteering
Journal & Reflective
Activity

56. Creativity
Relaxation & Stretching
Fun Games

58. And with the setting of the Sun…
The day is not over…

59. Night Hike

60. Star studies and
the night sky

61. CAMPFIRE

62. A great
experience
for the
individual
student…

63. The group…

64. And the Faculty !

65. A Typical Day
7:30 Breakfast
9:00 Groups A and B do journal activities,
riparian canyon hike, group initiatives. Groups
C and D hike to beach and tide pools
12:00 Lunch by groups
1:00 Groups C and D do journal activities,
riparian canyon hike, group initiatives. Groups
A and B hike to beach and tide pools
4:30 Return to camp for large group games
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Evening Program:
Night walk and star study
9:00 Students released to faculty

66. Southern
California
Coast
Discover It !

69. Ask about…
Allergies, Medications, and
Special Dietary Needs

70. Equipment Reminders
Follow your equipment list.
Pack together. Adult and student can double
check the contents of the gear bag.
All clothing should fit in a medium size duffle.
A day pack is essential to move about the program
with water, some food, extra layers of clothing,
and personal incidentals.
Utensil Kit that may be reused for each meal and
a cup that can handle hot & cold liquids.

71. Rain gear is a must. (water-proof shell) Rain
Ponchos are fine.
Comfortable closed toed shoes are required.
Light weight hikers or tennis shoes with a few
pairs of good outdoor socks (non-cotton).
A good water bottle (quart or liter).
The proper sleeping bag (check your equipment
list for specifics).
Ground pad. Ensolite pads are much cheaper
than thermarest types and work just as well.

72. Plastic bag protection. A half dozen, 1 or 2
gallon storage ziplocks are good for protecting
clothing in a gear bag from moisture. Along with
a couple hefty 15 to 30 gallon bags to line your
gear bag and sleeping bag (& daypack).
Don’t send gear that you could not afford lost
or broken (expensive cameras, cell phones, and
other electronics). A handy disposable camera
would be just fine.
Follow your equipment list, ask questions,
borrow from friends.

73. For more information
check us out at …